On the day of the competition, the students of Hogwarts still had to attend classes, or to be more precise, half a day of classes, as classes were suspended at noon. However, Fred, George and Lee Jordan complained about this a lot. Their reason was that the Triwizard Tournament put a lot of pressure on the warriors, and they should be given a relaxed environment to prepare for the first event.
Well, that sounds reasonable, but Albert knows that they say that because they don't want to go to the Charms class.
After all, it would be a bummer to have to watch a game and go to class in the afternoon.
As soon as he entered the hall, Albert was surrounded by a large group of students, all of whom gave him their blessings.
Shannah brought a group of girls to show Albert the big banner they had made. On the banner was Albert holding a wand, seemingly confronting something. Next to him was a roaring Gryffindor lion, and there was a line of flashing magical words on it: Gryffindor must win, Albert must win.
However, Albert changed Gryffindor's victory to Hogwarts' victory.
Fred and George took this opportunity to start a betting game. The odds of Albert getting first place were the lowest, only 10%, which seemed to tell others that Albert would definitely win. Of course, the focus of the bet was not Albert, but Harry. The odds of betting on Harry getting last place were very high.
Compared to the popular Albert, Harry's situation is worse. He is not liked by everyone, and most people are not optimistic about him. In addition, due to a series of outrageous actions he did a while ago, there are many students who are gloating over this misfortune. There are even many people holding handkerchiefs and saying to Harry: "We have prepared a lot of tissues to cry for you."
"You're not going to play like this, are you?" Sana frowned as she looked at Albert's outfit and said, "They didn't even prepare any special clothes for you to play?"
The people around looked at each other, none of them understood what Shanna meant.
"Quidditch players all have special robes and protective gear, not to mention the dangerous Triwizard Tournament. They didn't even prepare protective gear for the warriors. How could that be too disregarding of the warriors' lives? No wonder so many warriors have died in previous competitions."
"No?"
The others who originally didn't think there was a problem also frowned after listening to what Shanna said, because what Shanna said really made sense.
After all, the warriors need to face dangerous challenges, so it is obviously necessary to prepare clothes and protective gear.
"I'll go ask for you."
Lee Jordan enthusiastically expressed his willingness to help Albert find out the news because he also felt that what Shanna said made sense.
Albert's safety is obviously more important than the Triwizard Tournament trophy.
Not long after, Lee Jordan came back and brought back the news he had heard from Professor McGonagall: No.
Hogwarts really had nothing prepared for the warriors.
As for other schools, it seems that they don’t have any
After a long period of awkwardness and silence, everyone suddenly felt that this three-way competition was extremely unreliable.
This atmosphere did not last long.
Everyone's attention was attracted by a big package.
The long-eared owls that delivered the packages placed them on Albert's desk, and another owl dropped a letter in front of Albert.
Albert opened the envelope and found that it was a letter from Mr. McDougal: inside the package was a set of combat uniforms specially prepared for him. According to Mr. McDougal, this set of combat uniforms came from the Fengya wizard clothing store.
It's like a star agent or something like that, and as advertising fee, after they buy back the clothes, they will give him a new set of clothes.
As the most famous figure in the UK at present, Fengya Wizard Clothing Store does not suffer any loss by doing this. Of course, another reason is that the Wildsmith family has a wide range of friends.
"Wow, you were just talking about protective clothing, and now someone has delivered it to you." Fred and George looked at each other. They didn't expect that someone would deliver the things to Albert just after they finished talking about this.
"Shall we open it now?"
Lee Jordan really wanted to see the style of the entire suit. After all, it was designed specifically for Albert by the Fengya Wizard Clothing Store, so it must be a good thing.
"Wait until noon before changing."
Albert didn't care too much and didn't want to cause a commotion here.
"Are you familiar with the owner of Fengya Wizard Clothing Store?" Alia couldn't help asking.
"I'm not familiar with it. The item was sent by a friend and he just lent it to me temporarily. It will be recycled." Albert handed the envelope to George and explained.
"This should be considered a win-win situation. With Albert's current fame, it can be considered as free advertising for Fengya Wizard Clothing Store." Shanna analyzed calmly.
In the morning's Charms class, Professor Flitwick did not spoil everyone's fun. Instead, he helped them, or rather helped Albert, review the spells they had learned in the previous five years, and demonstrated to everyone his understanding and application of the spells.
Everyone could see that Professor Flitwick was giving Albert a temporary lesson, and even though it was a little late, it was able to provide Albert with some new ideas.
However, they didn't know that Albert, who didn't like to put himself in danger, had already figured out how to pass the first task.
The last few hours seemed to be stolen from me.
One minute they seemed to be sitting in a classroom for Charms class, and the next minute they were sitting in the hall eating lunch.
Albert didn't eat much. There would definitely be a celebration banquet after the game anyway. After a simple meal, he returned to the dormitory to change clothes.
"Wow, this outfit is really cool."
Fred, George and Lee Jordan stared at Albert who came out of the dressing room, their faces filled with unconcealed envy.
Inside the package was a complete set of clothes, from underwear, shirts, trousers, gloves, boots, socks, cloaks, and the only thing missing was underwear. When put on, it actually felt a bit like wearing a set of leather armor. The joints of the body were protected, but it did not affect the movement at all. It was actually no different from ordinary clothes, and even more comfortable. The most handsome one was probably the red cloak with a pattern of a lion-headed eagle outlined in gold thread.
"What is this made of? It looks so handsome." Fred, George and Lee Jordan all touched Albert's red cloak curiously.
"It seems to be made of fire dragon skin."
Well, actually, except for the underwear and socks, the whole set of clothes is basically made of fire dragon skin.
"My God, how much money will this cost." Fred and George's eyes widened. The only time they had seen items made of dragon skin was their Aunt Muriel's handbag.
"Fengya Wizard Clothing Store is really generous." Lee Jordan raised his eyebrows slightly and estimated, "I think the whole set of clothes you are wearing may cost several thousand Galleons."
"A few thousand Galleons." Fred and George almost stuttered.
"Don't be silly. They will recycle this whole set of clothes for display after the game." Albert looked at his clothes in the full-length mirror. He doubted that ordinary spells cast on him might not have any effect.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and Sana's voice came from outside, "Albert, are you ready? Professor McGonagall asked you to hurry up, she is waiting for you in the hallway."
"Okay," Albert put his wand back into its holster, opened the door and walked out.
"You, you..."
Shanna was stunned when she saw Albert's outfit and stammered, "This suit suits you very well."
"Isn't it cool? This is made of fire dragon skin. A complete set may cost several thousand Galleons." Fred said with envy.
"A few thousand Galleons?"
Shanna's eyes widened in shock, and she murmured, "I remember that Fengya Wizard Clothing Store planned to give you a set as advertising fee afterwards?"
"Who knows?"
Albert left the common room amid the girls' giggles. When he arrived at the hallway, he saw Professor McGonagall and Harry Potter waiting for him there. Potter had not changed his clothes and was still wearing ordinary robes.
After seeing Albert, Harry's eyes were almost glued to Albert.
"Where did you get those clothes?" Harry couldn't help but ask.
"The Fengya Wizarding Clothing store sent it to me for a trial. I think they wanted me to help advertise it. I have to return the clothes after the Triwizard Tournament is over," Albert explained.
"Isn't this dragon skin?"
Harry finally couldn't help but reached out and touched it. His eyes fell on his clothes again, and he suddenly felt very insecure.
When Harry saw Albert armed to the teeth from head to toe, he suddenly regretted not getting himself a set of such equipment.
Professor McGonagall was also speechless after seeing this, but there was nothing wrong with Albert's behavior. Albert's approach was the right thing to do. Just like when Lee Jordan asked her whether Hogwarts had prepared protective gear and costumes for the warriors to participate in the Triwizard Tournament, Professor McGonagall was actually very embarrassed because no one at Hogwarts was aware of this and directly let the warriors go to the competition with their wands.
"It seems that you are ready." Professor McGonagall put her hand on Albert's shoulder and said, "To be honest, I have never been worried about you. However, I still want to say be careful."
"I will." Albert looked at the crooked wizard hat and wanted to laugh. Professor McGonagall was obviously not as calm as she seemed.
"Don't be nervous, keep a cool head and give full play to your own abilities." Professor McGonagall said to Harry and Albert: "If the situation is not good, the wizards arranged by the school will come forward to control the situation."
"It may sound a bit harsh, but I must remind you, Potter, don't rely on others for your safety. If you encounter danger, you should put your own safety first. As for the game or other things, let them go to hell!" Albert reminded, "You should protect your own safety first, and then the outcome of the game."
Professor McGonagall's expression was a little stiff, but she had to admit that Albert was right. She actually thought so too, but as a professor, she obviously couldn't say that.
"I'm ready," Harry muttered. He understood that it was Albert's reminder that there was a guy hiding in the shadows who wanted to target him.
Professor McGonagall led the two around the edge of the Forbidden Forest and towards the large tent not far away.
"Harry, Albert, you are finally here!"
Bagman, wearing the old uniform of the Hornets, walked quickly towards the two and greeted them enthusiastically, "Where did you get this suit? It's really cool. Maybe I should suggest to Batty that he prepare a similar suit for all the Warriors."
"It was prepared by Fengya Wizard Clothing Store." Albert shrugged and said, "They hope that I can wear it to participate in the Triwizard Tournament."
"Those guys are pretty smart. I remember they advertised at the World Cup a while ago, and now they've turned their attention to you." Bagman put his hand on Harry's shoulder: "Relax, Harry, don't be nervous, go in, it'll be like being at home!"
After Harry entered the tent, he felt bad all of a sudden, because Fleur and Krum had changed into clothes suitable for fighting dragons, and he was the only one still wearing his usual robes. Harry now regretted not buying himself a set of clothes like Albert's, which really looked very handsome and might attract...
Bagman's voice interrupted Harry's thoughts and he motioned for everyone to gather around him.
"Your mission is to pick up the golden eggs."
Bagman handed them a purple silk bag and announced cheerfully, in the tone of Santa Claus taking gifts out of the bag: "When the audience is gathered, you will need to pick out the small models of the things you will face. They are the keepers of the golden eggs. You need to face them, overcome them, and get the golden eggs from their nests."
"Do you understand?"
No one responded, but Bagman was not embarrassed. He gestured for everyone to find a place to sit down and wait for the game to officially begin.
Albert took out his wand and waved it gently. The low wooden stool in the corner turned into a comfortable sofa. "Sit down, Harry. The Ministry of Magic is too stingy to prepare some comfortable chairs for everyone. By the way, do you want some chocolate?"
To be honest, Albert even suspected that he had walked into the wrong venue. The space inside the tent was about the size of a classroom, but it was completely empty with only a few low wooden benches. There was no comfortable resting place for the warriors at all, which made Albert feel that the Triwizard Tournament was not reliable.
He took a piece of chocolate from his pocket, unwrapped it, put it in his mouth, and handed one to Harry.
"No, thank you." Harry refused with a stiff face.
"I mentioned this to Barty, and I think we should prepare some comfortable places for the warriors to rest, but he seemed too busy and forgot to remind Dumbledore." Bagman took the chocolate handed to him by Albert with a smile and waved to Harry, "Sit here Harry, don't stand there stupidly."
Albert took out a few more chocolates from his pocket and asked casually, "Do you want some chocolate? Eat something, maybe you won't be so nervous."
Fleur looked up at Albert and shook her head to refuse. Krum obviously didn't want to eat food given by a stranger. He was calmer than Fleur, but his expression was a little gloomy.
The waiting was undoubtedly the most torturous. The warriors waited for about half an hour before Bagman stood up from the sofa and muttered that it was almost time.
"Okay, everyone come over here." Bagman handed the bag to Fleur Delacour and said with a smile, "Ladies first."
Fleur obviously knew what she was about to face, and she showed no surprise when she reached into her bag and pulled out a small, lifelike model of a Welsh Green Dragon.
"Ms. Delacour, you are the second contestant to enter."
Bagman glanced at the number tied around the model's neck and handed the bag to Krum. The international Quidditch superstar took out the bright red Chinese fireball and obviously knew what he was facing. He sat back in his chair without even blinking.
"Mr. Krum, you are the third contestant to enter," Bagman said, and handed the sack to Albert.
Albert reached into his pocket and randomly pulled one out, only to find it was a silver-blue Swedish short-nosed dragon. The result was the same as in the novel, except that Albert replaced Diggory.
"Mr. Anderson, you are the first player to enter the venue. Walk into the venue when you hear the whistle." Bagman reminded.
"It seems that I am lucky." Albert looked at the model of the Swedish short-nosed dragon with a smile.
Harry still "pulled" the Hungarian Horntail and was the last warrior to enter.
If you are facing an unknown monster, the later you enter the battlefield, the more advantages you will have because you will have more time to formulate strategies.
However, when everyone knows what they need to face, the later they enter, the greater the disadvantage, because waiting will only make the warriors feel anxious for no reason, and there is no benefit at all.
Soon after, the whistle sounded, and Albert walked out of the tent and through a gap in the fence of the field, with deafening cheers ringing in his ears.
Albert paid no attention to the cheering crowd, nor to the sound of the panel task being triggered that rang in his ears. Instead, he squinted his eyes and looked at the silver-blue Swedish short-nosed dragon opposite him.